New England Travel
The fair is open every weekend through Oct. 25.
At King Richard’s Faire in Carver, guests have been stepping into 16th-century English village life for the past 45 years.
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The event, New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance fair, was named among the top 10 Renaissance fairs in America this year by USA Today readers. The 2026 season kicked off Sept. 5 and ends Oct. 25.
The fairgrounds, called Carvershire, are comprised of 200 acres, 11 stages featuring more than 70 daily shows, food and beverage areas, rides, games, retail shops, and more. In the realm, guests witness knights jousting, acrobatic equestrian shows, musicians, magicians, aerialists, fire performers, and more.
“What we love to see out here and you don’t see at many places is our guests getting into the feel of being back in the 16th century,” said Amée Bialick, producer and general manager of King Richard’s Faire. “You hardly see people on their phones. They’re really watching the performances and they are enjoying it.”
Bialick is hoping to break the current attendance record of 110,000 by welcoming 125,000 people this season.
“Today we’re seeing that this immersive experience is really what our audience, but definitely what the people, want,” Bialick said. “They want to forget their every day life and that’s why we always say, ‘Escape your reality and come join us at King Richard’s Faire.’”
Ahead, find out all you need to know if you are attending King Richard’s Faire this season.
When can I go?
The fair is open on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 and also on Monday Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It takes place rain or shine.
The following are the themes for each weekend this season:
Sept. 12-13: Babes & Beer: Pirate Invasion
Sept. 19-20: Wizards & Wands
Sept. 26-27: Love & Companionship
Oct. 3-4: Gamers Guild
Oct. 10-12: Highland Happenings
Oct. 17-18: Kingdoms United
Oct. 24-25: Fest-Evil Finale
How do I get tickets?
A limited number of tickets are available daily at the front gate, but organizers encourage guests to buy dated tickets online for guaranteed entrance. Tickets at the gate are cash only. All tickets are non-refundable.
Tickets cost more as the season progresses. Fair goers age 12 and over must purchase an adult ticket, and those between the age of 4 and 11 may purchase a children’s ticket. Children under the age of 4 are free.
The following is the cost of tickets this season:
Sept. 5-20: $36 adult, $22 child
Sept. 26 to Oct. 4: $40 adult, $24 child
Oct. 10-25: $46 adult, $26 child
Do I have to pay to park?
Parking is free. There is a large parking lot at the venue, and handicapped parking is available with a valid plate or placard. After parking, don’t forget to pick up a fair program at the gate.
Can I bring strollers, wagons, scooters?
The fair does not rent wheelchairs or scooters, but visitors can bring their own. Families can bring strollers and wagons as well.
How is the new space different?
In 2025, the fair moved to a larger space down the road from its previous domain in the town of Carver.
“We have so many more buildings,” Bialick said. “It’s a lot bigger of a site, so we have so many more areas to enjoy. Our jousting Tournament Field has its new royal giant dais. We have bleachers for more comfortable seating and shading for the guests at all of our stages, so we’re very excited about that.”
Here is a festival map.
What should I wear?
Organizers recommend wearing sturdy, practical footwear because, while there are paved paths, the fair has areas of uneven terrain and some hills. Costumes are encouraged but optional.
What can I shop for?
“We have 20 new artisans this year so that is over 110 shops total,” said Queen Anne, played by Elizabeth Clouse, of West Greenwich R.I. “And some weekends we have guest artists so there is always something new.”
Shops throughout Carvershire sell everything from commemorative T-shirts to toy swords and shields to colorful cloaks to handmade silver jewelry.
The store names are as creative as their merchandise. Castle Roost stocks one-of-a-kind hand painted pottery, capes, cloaks, and taxidermy; Poppy’s Parasols sells parasols and umbrellas; and Dragon’s Eye Leather is full of custom leather accessories, journals, totes, bags, and dragon egg clutch purses.
Guests can also watch live craft demonstrations that include leather, pottery, glassblowing, and more.
Here is an artisan directory, which lists all of the shops and what they sell.
What shows can I see?
There is a variety of live entertainment across 11 stages featuring hundreds of performers in more than 70 daily shows. Street characters also perform throughout the realm each day.
New this year is a musical called “Hell No, Dolly,” playing on the King’s Stage, “Flawed Flirtations” (rated PG-16), on the Cottage Stage, and Puppies of Penzance on the Queen’s Stage. The latter features puppies performing tricks such as waving to the crowd and jumping through hoops.
At the Tournament Field, guests enjoy fast-paced entertainment such as the Galloping Cavaliers, an acrobatic horse show featuring Roman riding and trick riding. Tournament Field offers bleacher seating, cabanas, and indoor VIP seats above the action.
The shows are listed on the event website, where guests can read the day’s lineup and map out their day.
What can I eat and drink?
Hungry visitors can visit taverns as well as food and beverage huts scattered across the realm and feast on turkey legs, stew, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, burgers, and more. New this year is a vegetarian chili, which can be made vegan by removing the cheese. Ice cream is served at Carvershire Creamery, and there are snacks and sweets available throughout the grounds.
“We have so many more family feasts and kids’ meals, which we’re excited about,” Bialick said.
Alcoholic beverages in the realm include Sam Adams beer, mead, wine, champagne, and more. There’s also a themed pub crawl every Sunday for those over the age of 21.
Check out the full food and drink menu.
What games and rides can I participate in?
There are 18 games and rides in the Gaming Glen where guests can test their strength, power, and skill. They are hand powered, so think “old-world fun, no engines,” according to the event website.
Visitors can get face and body painting done and take part in axe, star, and knife throwing, archery, a dragon joust, and more. Rides in the realm include the Sky Griffin, Da Vinci’s Hurlinator, M’lady’s Shady Maze, and the Pirate Ships.
A Sword Masters Challenge is joining the fair for the first time this year, said King Richard, played by Kirk Simpson of South Berwick, Maine.
“You’ll be able to challenge someone to duels and fights,” Simpson said.
Guests of all ages can take part in the fight circle, which is a safe environment refereed by professionals.
Games are not included in admission and are cash only. Find out more about the games and rides offered this season.
What is prohibited?
Outside food and drink are prohibited, as well as firearms.
What are some tips for first timers?
“We have so many new things,” said Volumina Bellows, the Town Crier, played by Hannah Wyman of Quincy. “So the first thing I would suggest is bring a fat wallet. We have over 110 artisans coming. Huzzah! We also have brand new shading on our new jousting area. Always have a drinking cup. We have so many areas that you can have water, so stay hydrated. Another good thing is, bring friends! Carvershire is home to all and the magic is not the venue, it is you.”
Check out more tips for first timers from the realm.
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